Fantasy Tip: Ballard likely will miss the entire season because of the injury. Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw probably will get a majority of the reps at the position unless the team adds another back. Richardson should be considered a starting running back in all fantasy leagues, while Bradshaw probably would be a later-round pick that could be a No. 4 or 5 running back on a team.

Fantasy Tip: Richardson is getting the first chance to start, but he could find himself on the bench if he fails to produce. Richardson should be considered a low-end No. 2 running back in drafts this season. Owners could consider taking a late-round flier on Bradshaw or Ballard since there is a chance they could take over the starting job if Richardson falters, but it is not known which back would have more value at this point.

Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard (knee) is not expected to be a part of the team's minicamp, according to a source, as he continues to recover from ACL surgery.

Fantasy Tip: Ballard is currently listed as the No. 2 running back behind Trent Richardson. Richardson will probably see most of the playing time, but all three are expected to see the field. Still, Ballard is coming off a serious knee injury and has Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw to compete with. He's a flex option at best for now.

Fantasy Tip: Prior to the Trent Richardson acquisition, Ballard was the starting running back in 2012 before tearing his ACL in Week 2. The Coltsí backfield is currently in a murky state, although Richardson will likely be given the first opportunity to start.

The Indianapolis Colts have placed RB Vick Ballard (knee) on Injured Reserve, ending his 2013 season. In a corresponding move, the team signed practice squad RB Kerwynn Williams to their active roster. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Updating a previous report, Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard (knee) will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in practice Thursday, Sept. 12. He will undergo season-ending surgery and has already been put on Injured Reserve. Ballard was injured in a non-contact drill Thursday. RB Ahmad Bradshaw will now take the lead running back duties, with RB Donald Brown sharing touches.

Fantasy Tip: This quickens the pace at which Ahmad Bradshaw will get back to a starter's workload. He hasn't looked 100 percent yet, but he's their most capable every-down back. He's a low-end RB2 in most leagues. Unfortunately, Donald Brown will probably steal reps for his occasional big-play ability. He's nothing more than a desperation flex play, however. Also, Indy will probably ink a third carrier that can at least spell these two, perhaps in goal-line spots.

Fantasy Tip: Bradshaw has been dealing with this foot injury for a while but has been able to play with it. He should be considered a No. 2 fantasy running back this week but likely will give up some playing time to Vick Ballard and Donald Brown during the game.

Indianapolis Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) is expected to get the lion's share of the workload in the backfield with RBs Donald Brown and Vick Ballard. "I think he's in a really good place mentally," head coach Chuck Pagano said. "I know physically, he's real close to getting back and hopefully we'll increase his snaps this week and hopefully he's ready for this game."

Fantasy Tip: Bradshaw is a decent RB3, while the other two are mere handcuffs right now.

Fantasy Tip: Running back committees are not the best thing for fantasy owners, but it looks like the Colts are going that route. Bradshaw likely is the most valuable out of the three and should be seen as a No. 3 running back or flex option. Ballard should be a No. 4 or No. 5 running back on fantasy teams while Brown probably should not be taken in drafts.

Fantasy Tip: Bradshaw should be ready for the start of the regular season if he doesn't have any setbacks during camp. However, he'll play second fiddle to Vick Ballard this year and is unlikely to see enough touches to make him anything more than an RB4 or 5.

Indianapolis Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) was spotted with his right foot in a walking boot during minicamp practice Wednesday, June 12. He had surgery on the foot six months ago and continues to be brought along slowly in his recovery. He plans to be ready to go when Indy's training camp opens July 27. The Colts see him as more than an occasional contributor, but his role will be clarified the closer they get to Week 1.

Fantasy Tip: Bradshaw will probably be the primary shareholder with Vick Ballard in terms of touches, with Donald Brown likely bringing up the rear. It's a messy situation in which none of these options should be addressed as anything more than an RB3.

Fantasy Tip:Vick Ballard was expected to be the No. 1 RB heading into camp before the Bradshaw discussions, but the presence of the New York Giants' leading rusher for the last three years has obviously derailed that idea. Bradshaw is more dangerous if healthy, but there's the conundrum. He'll be an interesting flex-type play in a dangerous offense. Ballard still has mild upside and is worth fantasy consideration given how he performed as a rookie in 2012 and Bradshaw's foot problems.

Fantasy Tip: Bradshaw would be joining Vick Ballard, Donald Brown and Delone Carter in the team's backfield if he signs. It is not known what their roles would be, but Ballard could be a two-down back with Bradshaw being the third-down and change-of-pace back. Ballard probably would be a No. 4 running back while Bradshaw would be a No. 4 running back in point-per-reception league and a No. 5 back in standard leagues.

Fantasy Tip: Ballard could gain value in PPR leagues. He isn't a natural receiver but has shown to be acceptable in this area, whereas RB Donald Brown is a suspect pass catcher with limited experience running routes. Brown could be used on screen passes to take advantage of his open-field speed.

Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard is expected to enter training camp as the team's No. 1 running back, but that doesn't mean RB Donald Brown will not also see playing time. Head coach Chuck Pagano sees Ballard as a player who gets stronger as the game wears on, while Brown is considered more of a home run hitter for the offense.

"Can Vick be an every-down guy? Yeah. Can Donnie be an every-down guy? Yeah. They are different types of runners and are more than capable on third down, knowing the protections and picking up blitzers and being effective once they get out to catch the football and doing those things out of the backfield," Pagano said. "Vick is a solid, solid guy; Donnie is a home run hitter," Pagano said. "If he gets the edge and hits a crease, he can take it the distance."

Fantasy Tip: Ballard should be viewed as a third fantasy running back who could have slightly more value in PPR leagues. Brown is a handcuff pick and likely nothing more than a sixth back in deep leagues.

Fantasy Tip: The rookie went over 100 rushing yards for the first time this season, and he has 199 rushing yards over his past two weeks, just in time for fantasy owners to take advantage. He'll face another good fantasy matchup in Week 16 on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard will continue to see the majority of the workload in Week 15 with RB Donald Brown (knee) now out for the season and RB Delone Carter (ankle) out for two to three weeks. "About the same," interim head coach Bruce Arians concurred, "and as long as he can stay in there he'll stay in there and when he needs to tap out, Mewelde will go in." Ballard's 562 rushing yards this year ranks fifth among rookie running backs, and he's started the team's last nine games because he's the best package of runner, receiver and pass protector.

Fantasy Tip: It was a disappointing line for Ballard's fantasy owners since he had over 50 rushing yards in the first quarter, and fellow RB Delone Carter played the role of touchdown vulture with his first-quarter score from the 1-yard line. Ballard remains nothing more than an RB3 or 'flex' play in leagues of 12 or more teams.

Fantasy Tip: Fantasy owners have to love the matchup for both Brown and Vick Ballard, but the fact that they'll probably split time in some manner downgrades the appeal of each. Neither is more than a flex player, and both are quite risky. The fact that Brown practiced in full for two of the three days of the week suggests that he'll get a good amount of work if he looks spry, so he's likely the better play.

Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard had only 25 yards on eight carries in Week 6 against the New York Jets mainly because the offensive line didn't create much push or space to run in. However, Ballard was also indecisive and slow to hit holes.

Fantasy Tip: Brown was coming off his best effort of the season in Week 5, recording 84 rushing yards against the Green Bay Packers.
Vick Ballard, who will replace Brown in the starting lineup, is expected to share some time with Delone Carter. Ballard has only 21 rushing attempts for 42 yards; however, he does have a favorable Week 6 matchup against a New York Jets defense that has surrendered 479 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the last three weeks.
Owners in desperate need of a starter should look to pick up Ballard, and even Carter, off the waiver wire this week. Brown will be out at least two to three weeks, so closely monitor how the team manages the workload between both backs moving forward.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano praised RB Vick Ballard Wednesday, Aug. 22. "I think he's ahead of the learning curve," Pagano said. "He's doing a great job in the run game and the pass game. The protection stuff is coming around on first down. He's a dynamic runner; he's got make-miss ability. He's strong. He gets extra yards. I don't think you ever see him go backwards. Even after first contact, he's going to make people miss, and he's going to have a lot of yards after contact."

Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard received some work with the first-team offense in the team's preseason game Sunday, Aug. 19. Ballard could potentially be in line to receive the bulk of the carries this season.

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said the team wants to be able to run the football this year when they want to run it. He is looking for the running game to be a physical one. "There aren't any numbers; you know, we aren't running 35 times, this and that, every game dictates different numbers. But when we want to run it, we want to be able to run it, and be able to be physical. Old school football, double team, kick out and hit it up in there," Arians said. He noted he feels the team's players have adapted to his philosophy quickly and he is excited to see them with pads on behind the offensive line, which he really likes.